First-time voters: A narrative about to change

Over 52 million children have come of age and would cast vote for the first time. But they have been victims of malnutrition, injustice and …

Solar lanterns to light up all polling booths in Odisha’s Kendrapara

District administration decided to junk older, kerosene-lit lanterns

Economic Survey 2018-19: Growth slowest in five years due to low food inflation

Agriculture sector contracted in fourth quarter; farmers produced less, spent less on consumption

South Africans are finally set to know who funds their political parties

Even as the Supreme Court of India is in the middle of hearing a petition on political funding here's looking at how South Africa is dealing …

How democratic was the 16th Lok Sabha?

A lot of recent decisions, like Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s low attendance in Parliament to passing Constitutional Amendment Bill as a …

Many more may fall into poverty trap and several may not escape it

Here’s how poverty, political myopia and ecological degradation are inter-related

Laws are chipping away at democracy around the world

Trouble is brewing around the world, say experts

How good is your MP? These maps will help you track

A Harvard report maps estimates for indicators of nutrition, health and development for all the Parliamentary constituencies in the country

In poll season, Punjab debates legalising poppy seed and opium farming

Proponents feel the two crops will help farmers, save Punjab’s groundwater and wean its youth from synthetic drugs

'Women should be self-reliant to make a big difference in society'

Down To Earth talks to Pramila Bisoi, an SHG leader chosen to contest Aska Lok Sabha seat in Odisha

Will recent floods change voting pattern in Kerala?

Despite the devastating floods and the 'flawed' rehabilitation process, these issues are not going to be big in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, …

For the survivors of 1999’s Super Cyclone in Odisha, polls mean nothing

None of the political parties in the state have provided them with amenities ranging from sources of livelihood to cyclone shelters to …

India’s WhatsApp election: political parties risk undermining democracy with technology

WhatsApp has already been used to misinform voters in elections and spread damaging 'fake news' that has led to serious violence 

Voting without voters: Uttar Pradesh migrant workers to be home for paddy transplantation next, may skip Lok Sabha polls

Migrant workers came back home for Holi, won't be able to come back for the  crucial electoral process

Food shortage, lack of law, no rolls: Obstacles India overcame for first General Elections

Five facts about the first time India voted

Finally, both BJP and Congress manifestos talk climate change

A long way to go, but at least a start for India and its people

On average Lok Sabha members represent most number of people in the world

10 facts about Parliamentary elections

Environmental charter for the new government

Sustainable development, pollution, employment generation and agrarian crisis did not play major roles in deciding the outcome of the 2019 …

Elections 2019: Every fourth voter a distressed farmer

Though the farmers were not an issue in the general elections they now hold the fort for the world’s fastest growing economy despite being …

Missing women voters: 21 mln can't exercise franchise this Lok Sabha polls

Excerpts from The Verdict: Decoding India’s Elections by Prannoy Roy and Dorab R Sopariwala; published by Penguin Random House India

'Poor women and children are low priority for this government'

Criticising current government’s policies or lack of them, women demand change and empowerment across all sectors

Lok Sabha 2024: Is it too hot to vote?

DTE analyses if there is a direct correlation between rising temperatures and a decrease in voter turnout

Voting without voters: Bihar migrant workers forced to sacrifice ballot rights due to financial strain

Require special provisions, free trips home to participate in democratic process

Women voters are louder than ever and that’s because of poll panel, quota: Experts

In these Lok Sabha elections, women voters outnumbered men in 13 states

Notes on how the world’s largest democracy presses the button

While the electronic voting machine system is useful and functional, officials and observers shouldn’t assume there’s no way to …